Weekend Music Roundup

 

Welcome to the holiday weekend...though we are now in day three of the weekend. After days of relaxing and eating and online shopping, I figured some of you might be switching to the listening portion of your weekend. At least, I know I'm at that point having spent the past few days spinning some old favorites. These are albums I was listening to most of last week and few that I've had waiting around for inclusion on the list. I'm grateful for good music...Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Skyway Man - The World Only Ends When You Die: The second album from the Nashville indie band was released last month is one the albums I've been most excited about listening to. Their debut came out three years ago, and I got to see them play during the tour of that fantastic record. The band channels their inner Dr. Dog on this record, as is showcased with the opening "Muddy Waters." Throughout the album, they play on the psychedelic folk pop rock sound, making it cleaner and tighter than the previous album, a choice that is certain to get them a wider audience. "Did Ya Know Him?," "Night Walking, Alone," and "Atom Bomb" are personal favorites on this fine record. 

John Coltrane - The Rain Dogs: This is a new digital release that just came out, but I can't find out any information as to when the recordings were made.  Given the track listing, I would say this is from around the year Blue Train came out, probably some time around '58. This is strictly hard bop Coltrane, and the fact is there is nothing much better than Coltrane in this period. It's the measuring stick for me, the framework from which I evaluate all jazz from the genre. "Moment's Notice," "I'm Old Fashioned," and "Blue Train" are great as always and the recording quality is excellent. 

Mark Eitzel - West: The third solo album from the American Music Club frontman was released in 1997, a few years after the band's initial split. Close followers of the round-up will remember that I saw him play a small show last year and was transfixed by his Leonard Cohen level of depth, both lyrically and musically. A few weeks ago, a friend let me rifle through a box of CDs that someone had dumped on them and I found this in there. This is the type of alt-country that the San Fran artist is known for, and though it felt a slightly bland (in comparison to his other work) on first listen, by the second listen, I was enthralled. A friend of mine once called Mark Eitzel an national treasure, and that is about the most accurate description I can give. 

Medicine - Barcides (Selected Early Recordings 1990 - 1991): Originally released in 2017, this compilation features early tracks from the L.A. noise rock band. This is a band I'd heard a lot back in the mid-90s, having had a friend who was a fan, but I never really got into them. I decided to give this is a listen recently and glad I did. They have a noisy sound with shoegazer elements, a sound that I wouldn't end up getting into for a few years after their '92-'93 hey day. There's a rawness to these recordings that gives them their character and I'm eager to go back to their studio albums and see if there's the same quality. "I Don't Want to Know," "Gum," "Queen of Tension," "In Your Pocket," "Time Baby 2," and "Christmas Song" are my personal favorites. 

The Beatles - White Unplugged Album: In '68, the band got together at George's house and laid down some acoustic versions of songs they'd been working on, songs that would make up the White Album. Released in 2007, this bootleg captures these sessions. I've always enjoyed the stripped down, demo versions of the Fab Four. I'd heard many of them, but never this whole album in that format and needless to say, it's a revelation. This is the album where the members were just starting to reach their creative peak as individual artists. People were so upset with they broke up, but all members would release their most profound work afterwards.

Fiction Friday (120)

 

Last week was one of those where I found myself finishing a novel on a Friday, and not having a chance to pick up any of the long list of books that I want to read from the library. So I was resigned to pick up a book from my "to-be-read" pile, one that could be finished over the weekend. And that's when I found this one that I got last year and hadn't read yet. 

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

( Harper, 2011)

The start of a new year is a time for hope, a promise that things will change and the strong desire that they change for the better. For a child in Saigon in 1975, those were difficult wishes to have. Ten year old Há is aware of the war that has split her country and ravished her city, but she is hopeful. She has a papaya tree, she is smart, and though her father has been missing since before she can remember, she is confident that her family's luck will turn for the better. What she discovers is that sometimes luck is disguised as hardship...like the papaya, sometimes luck needs time to ripen.

This coming of age novel, told in verse, tells a different side of a period of American history that continues to haunt this nation. It is one of those timeless novels that will live on for generations, and it's no surprise that it won top awards. It has all the ingredients of a classic. It exposes an ugly side to America's racist culture, but also show the resilience of those who come here for a second chance, and how despite the hardships, it can still be a land of opportunity.

Weekend Music Roundup

It's officially the last weekend before the holiday season begins, and the way things are going, the last weekend before most of us are locked down once again. As we gear up for that combined chaos, it's always good to find yourself some new tunes to escape with. Most of this list is newer albums, with a couple of older ones that I recently acquired. Take some time to listen to something new. Enjoy.

Gorillaz - Song Machine, Season One: The eighth album from Damon Albarn's art pop cartoon band is their first in two years. As always with a Gorillaz album, it is a series of interesting guest appearances, this time featuring such legends as Robert Smith, Beck, and Elton John. It also includes a wide range of hip-hop artists and world soul artists, all which are mixed into the electronic whirl that makes up the band's unique sound. 

Billie Eilish - Don't Smile at Me: Before she was a phenom, Billie released this phenomenal EP in 2017. In some ways, this is superior to her break-out debut...or at least, equally as compelling. A bit more laid back, a bit less electronic, this album is electropop at it's best. I think it's the honesty in her work that makes her so appealing to so many people, not to mention that she just knows how to make great music. 

 

Cut Worms - Nobody Lives Here Anymore: A few weeks back, I reviewed this Chicago indie band's "Every Once In A While" EP, which features songs from this album released in October. This is the third album, but that EP had been my first introduction to them, and I was pretty blown away. Easily one of the best albums of the year, this is timeless and wonderful, mixing Americana with indie folk rock. There isn't a bad track on here. It's these kinds of discoveries that keep me always searching.

 

Norma Tanega - Walin' My Cat Named Dog: The 1966 debut album from the California folk pop artist is one of only two albums the singer would release (the other in '71). This has become a bit of a cult classic in the past several years and was highly recommended to me by a friend who shares my tastes. It was recently re-issued following her death last year and I found it in my local shop. Most people think of protest songs when they think of '60s folk, but there was also the poppy side, and that's what this it. It's beautiful, melodic, and full of sunshine. It's the kind of album that would inspire the Dandelion - Children of Sunshine record, and the parent of bands like The Carpenters. Excellent bit of folk pop.

 

The Lemon Twigs - Songs for the General Public: The fourth album from Long Island band led by the D'Addario brothers was released at the end of the summer. This is my first encounter with the band who's debut came out five years ago. This psychedelic pop rock at it's purest. It is thick with '70s glam pop influences as reminds me of early Nazz albums. "The One," "Somebody Loving You," and "No One Holds You" and "Ashamed" are personal favorites on this retro sounding record.

 

Black Lips - Sing...in a World That's Falling Apart: Released in January, this is the latest album from Atlanta garage rockers. This album has a heavy country influence, but more like Rolling Stones country via "Exile on Main Street." As usual, they sing about characters on the fringes of society with a mix of humor and realism. "Holding Me, Holding You," "Gentleman," and "Dishonest Man" are personal favorites. As usual, a solid album if not altogether essential.

Fiction Friday (119)

 

Oh, that shiny new book appeal, far greater than the appeal of new cars, and somewhere right up there with new records. After months of playing the waiting game, my library finally placed a sizable order for new books about a month ago, books that have since been cataloged and placed on the shelf. I was nosing through them last week when one exceptional cover caught me eye. I did what I always do in that situation, I read the flap copy and if it appeals, I flip to the middle and read a random paragraph. I was sold instantly on this one.

A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet

(W.W. Norton, 2020)

Parents are shapeless masses drowning in alcohol, drugs, and a yearning for their youth. They are worthless in the eyes of their children. Children who have been dragged along for a months long reunion of matured college friends. Children left to entertain themselves while the grown friends wallow in all the pointlessness of grown-up life. 

The mansion where they are vacationing holds little appeal for the children, ranging in age from 10 to 17. It is an old fashioned mansion in an undisclosed location that resembles the Hamptons, or the Cape, or anywhere not too far from the sea where rich people go to spend their time. Of course, devices were confiscated so that the children could appreciate the time, but it only ends up adding to the alienation they feel toward the older generation.

Then the storm comes.

Millet's sublime writing enriches this perfectly crafted novel, elevating it truly biblical proportions. Part Lord of the Flies, part Oryx and Crake, part  The Road, this novel's scope and power build so carefully that they settle upon the reader like a wave that gave no indication of its arrival.  An absolutely stunning novel that I don't expect I will ever forget.

The Joys of Parenting

 

Some of the greatest moments as a parent come when you get to share something you love with your child. Recently, I've been watching my favorite anime series, Cardcaptor Sakura with my daughter and she loves it. 

Of course I had the Clow Card book, sitting on a shelf in my office for years, that I took out. She has spent days studying the cards, reading the names, and making me act them out so that she can use her wand (she uses a stuffed giraffe) to capture them. I even had a stuffed Kero who now spends most nights in my daughter's bed alongside well-loved bunnies.

Sakura is such great character. It's important to me that my daughter sees strong girl characters in shows and books, characters that aren't simply made more masculine to make them powerful, but who strong because they are who they are. I'm so proud of the strong girl my daughter is and will continue to become.

Weekend Music Roundup

 

It's another weekend, the first official post-Trump weekend. It's been a rainy week around my parts and I've been trying to match my listening to the soundtrack to the weather. As a result, there is a lot of psychedelic folk and metal on here, two genres that I often turn toward in the fall. Some of them are new, some not so new, but all new to me over the past several weeks. Enjoy.

Big Blood - Operate Spaceship Earth Properly: I don't know how I missed this album when it came out two years ago. I'm usually on top of everything this husband/wife from Maine release. They are one of the most original psychedelic folk outfits today and having been consistently tapping into my wave length for well over a decade. This is one of their more experimental albums, expanding the psychedelic aspects and sinking the folk into the undertones.  Another fantastic record.

 

A Blaze of Feather - Labyrinth: The second album from the British indie band is equal parts indie folk and equal parts mellow experimental rock, a combination that creates a nice sound. The guitarist was in a band called Haven about twenty years ago, a band who I really enjoyed. This is a very melodic and ethereal album, the kind that I really enjoy hearing while I'm working. "Witching Hour," "Fields," and "Clock Hands" are my personal favorites.  

 

Dungeon Weed - Mind Palace of the Mushroom God: The debut album from the Oakland sludge metal band was released at the end of summer. The moment I saw the cover and read the title, I simply had to give it a listen. As one might expect, it's heavy stoner metal. As one may not suspect from the comical name and title is that it's a competent rock record. Very Sabbath influenced, and very much in line with Electric Wizard. "Beholder Gonna Fuck You Up," "Lumbering Hell," and "Mind Palace" are stand out tracks. 

 

Big Black Cloud - Dark Age: The 2010 first album under this name from the band formerly known as Here Comes a Big Black Cloud from the Portland lo-fi noise rock band is an album I picked up on a whim during the local shop's used vinyl sale on Record Store Day. It's their third album. This definitely has an 80's dark punk sound, something akin to Christian Death but much more lo-fi. It's chaotic and frenzied, and that's the appeal. 

 

Night - High Tides - Distant Skies: The fourth album from the Swedish band is their first in three years. This is a power metal throwback to the late 80s and NWOBHM bands. There's been a lot of these bands over the past half-decade, bands like The Sword and others, some which nail it and other that don't. I wouldn't say Night nails it, but they do a decent job of capturing the energy of the sound. "Give Me to the Night" and "Under the Moonlight Sky" are the real standout tracks for me.

 

Grin - Gone Crazy: The forth and final album from Nils Lofgren's early 70s band formed after he left Crazy Horse and years before joining the E-Street Band. Released in '73, this album is very much blues based rock of the time, but Nils is an exceptional guitarist and this album really show that. My local shop was having a 30% sale on used vinyl and I picked up a white label promo of this one for under $10. Money well spent.

 

Fiction Friday (118)

 

As I've mentioned in other recent Fiction Friday posts, I'm so thrilled that my daughter is now old enough for me to read novels with at bedtime. A few months ago, we read the first Mary Poppins book and she really enjoyed it. I'd had the second book for years, but had never ventured to read it, so it was a treat to be able to read something with her that I had never read before. Sometimes there are classics that don't hold up well, and then there are books like Mary Poppins...

Mary Poppins Comes Back by P.L. Travers

(Harcourt 2006, First Published 1935)

The world's most famous nanny abruptly left the Banks family of Cherry Tree Lane at the end of the first novel, leaving Jane and Micheal wondering if they'd ever again see the stern woman they'd come to love. But one thing they never lost sight of was that Mary Poppins is full of surprises. So one day, while flying a kite in the park, they are not at all surprised to find Mary Poppins descending on the string after the kite disappears into the clouds.

During her second stint as the nanny for the Banks children, her stay is once again riddled with unbelievable and impossible occurrences that leave Jane and Micheal perplexed and mesmerized. Of course, being the proper English lady that she is, Mary Poppins never admits that their fantastical adventures together ever truly happened, but the children know better. 

The joy of these books, beyond the pure imaginative escapades, is that there is no moral lesson being thrust upon the readers. These are books are entertainment and fun. They are filled with clever word play, wonderfully true dialogue, and unexpected adventures...all the ingredients that make for a timeless story.

Weekend Music Roundup

 

The weekend has returned, and around these parts, it's brought a return to warmer weather. Perhaps then it's fitting that this list features almost all new releases, and the kind of music that really speaks to me around this time of year. This features a few albums that I'm pretty certain will end up on my favorites for the year, and at least one that will end up as a big disappointment. Enjoy.

Big Blood - Do You Wanna Have a Skeleton Dream?: The newest album from my favorite psychedelic folk outfit out of Maine is yet another stunner. It opens with what is possibly their best song ever, "Sweet Talker" and just scorches from there. There are so many good songs on here, but "Insecure Kids" is heartbreaking and stunning. One of the things that I love about these guys is how every album feels different, though the undercurrent lets you know that it's them. As with all of their albums, it's fantastic.

Cut Worms - Every Once in a While: Though this Chicago band has been around for almost a decade, and despite being on one of my favorite labels, they escaped my atmosphere until recently. I checked out this EP first and fell in love immediately. Their alt country indie sound is downright perfect. They are also a band that feels so timeless, one that you could image generations have been listening to it. "Sold My Soul" is one of the best songs I've heard in a long time. Definitely a band I'm going to explore more of.

 

Lord Loud - Timid Beast: The second album from the L.A. noise rock band has a blues based garage sound. This is classic dirty rock with just the right level of feedback, riffs, and rancor for my taste. This isn't anything ground breaking, but has all the ingredients that make up a great rock record. "Lady Sunday," "Imaginary," "Wherewithal," and the title track are personal favorites.

Swans - The Glowing Man: Released in 2016, this is follow-up to the NYC post rock's celebrated 2014 album, "To Be Kind." I had recently picked up that record on vinyl, having had it digitally since it came out, and discovered I loved it more than I remembered. I came across a used copy of this one at the local shop and didn't want to miss it. As I expected, it's just as brilliant as it's predecessor. This moody kind of post-rock has been right in my headspace these days. It's six sides of eerie greatness. 

Marilyn Manson - We are Chaos: Thirty years into his career, the once world dominating shock rocker continues to release music, including this album, his first in three years. After a resurgence when Twiggy rejoined, his last two albums have seemed flat now that Twiggy is once again absent. It lacks the edge that makes Manson his best on his best albums. This isn't a bad album, it's just a watered down Marilyn Manson album. If I'm in the mood for Manson, this isn't the record I'm going to listen to.

 

 

Fiction Friday (117)

 

I recently took over running the book club at the library where I work, a book club that has been going for over twenty years and is made up entirely of woman who are significantly older than myself. The books they read are books they vote on, so needless to say, they choices are not titles I would typically pick up. In addition, the books are primarily all somewhat contemporary. As a general rule, I don't read much if any contemporary adult fiction, so it's been interesting to get into the books. This is the first one that I feel worthy of sharing with you all.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

(Ballentine 2017)

In the not so distant past, just over 80 years ago, there was an orphanage called the Tennessee Children's Home Society that matched wealthy families with children in need of a home. But what if those children weren't in need of a home? What if they had loving families and were stolen from those families and essentially sold to the highest bidder?  

Told in alternating time periods, Lisa Wingate's powerful novel is horrifyingly based on the very real situation that many children of the time period found themselves in. A journalist at heart, Wingate based her story on the mountain of evidence that had been uncovered to reveal how the orphanage had been run like a racketeering empire, using a network of legislators, police, and social workers to take children from poor families, preferably attractive children and place them into the homes of the well-connected, who were lied to and left in the dark about the circumstances that brought these children into the home's custody.

May (formerly Rill) was twelve when the police took her and her siblings from their boat home on the river and delivered them to the abusive home. As she struggles, and fails, to keep her family together, we experience the heartbreak and injustice of her situation...a situation which she hid until a present day granddaughter of May's youngest sister uncovers the truth. 

May's story is told with tenderness and grit, bringing her 12 year old self to life in the spirit of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird. The modern day story reads more like a cleverly unfolding tale of family intrigue, which feels slightly less literary, but doesn't detract from the overall experience.